A comparison of paternal behaviour in the meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus, the pine vole M. pinetorum and the prairie vole M. cchrogaster

Abstract

Paternal care in microtines has been studied infrequently and few studies have compared patterns of direct and indirect paternal investment. The paternal behaviour of three vole species, the meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus), the pine vole ( M. pinetorum) and the prairie vole ( M. ochrogaster) was examined in a semi-natural setting. Prairie and pine voles were found to exhibit high levels of paternal care. Prairie vole males contributed the most direct care by remaining in the natal nest for long periods of time in contact with the pups. Pine voles contributed less direct care than prairie voles as they spent less time in the natal nest with their offspring. In addition, both prairie and pine vole males were observed to groom their pups and retrieve them back to the nest area. Prairie vole males also engaged in such indirect forms of care as nest construction and maintenance, while pine voles provided indirect care in the form of tunnel construction and food caching. Meadow vole males were the least paternal of the three species and rarely engaged in either direct or indirect care. These findings support predictions that M. pennsylvanicus is promiscuous and that male and female meadow voles occupy separate territories. They are also consistent with studies which indicate that prairie and pine voles are monogamous and have a structured social organization with members interacting closely with one another.